On the A-side, Princess Simeon Levi follows up her 2012 single “Unity” and delivers a deep message for those who chant Rastafari – when it suits them. Followed by a heavy dub version mixed by Crucial Steve.

Flip it over and the B-side features a mid-tempo digital stepper track entitled “Arab Spring”, followed by a dubwise counterpart.

This release will be out in the shops soon and is dedicated to Simeon Levi, whose sun set on the 26th March 2015.

It is with deep sadness that I write of Simeon Levi’s passing away on the morning of Thursday 26th March 2015, after a long battle with cancer.

I first met Simeon back in 2010 when I was part of Adrian’s Wall Soundsystem in High Wycombe. Sim (as we called her) became a regular at the monthly soundsystem night we had at the Hobgoblin in High Wycombe. She was a friendly and outgoing person and we quickly got talking about our love of music. She had a real passion for reggae and it transpired she had recorded some tracks in 2009 with producer Rodney Culture at Groovespot Studios (West London) as well as having done live performances over the years in the UK and abroad.

As a producer, I was impressed with her voice and felt she had a lot of potential. After relocating to London in 2011 I set up the studio again and we recorded a string of vocal tracks with the intention of releasing a showcase album. The first track we recorded was “Unity” on the “In Love with a Dreadlocks” riddim. She had previously sent me a demo vocal for this back in July 2011, but when we laid the vocal down in the studio in August she sounded better than I could have hoped for.

Even when she wasn’t recording, she was continuously coming up with new lyrics, sometimes to existing riddims but other times without any music in mind. She was extremely creative and had a very unique style of both lyric and delivery. Her positive and uplifting words were simply an extension of her own wonderful warm personality.

Simeon Levi in Gambia

She continued the regular studio visits and recorded the vocal for “Who Is Rastafari” in September 2011 and “Empress Militant”, “Fullness of Time” and “Silazih Alowkim” in November.

In the new year (2012) we both agreed on releasing “Unity” as a 12” single, so I re-mixed it on my new 24 channel desk. Along with Empress Antonia’s “Roots Woman”, this became the debut release on Righteous Works RW001.

Crucial Steve presenting Simeon Levi with the test-press to “Unity”.

Towards the end of 2012 we recorded the final vocal take for another track “I Am That I Am”. Unfortunately, Simeon’s health began to further deteriorate after this, and so this became our last recording session. We continued to stay in touch and I sent her some of my instrumental tracks, but music began to take a back seat due to her health and my family life.

Despite her health, Simeon was still keen to record more tracks and bought a small home recording setup in 2014 with the hope of voicing some tunes, but, as far as I am aware, this never transpired. We last met at the beginning of 2015 when sadly she knew she didn’t have much longer left. We discussed releasing another track and both settled on “Who Is Rastafari”. I re-mixed the track and prepared it for pressing to 12”. Simeon heard the final mix and was very happy with it and so I got the pressing process underway. We also discussed releasing the other tracks as part of the showcase album that we originally intended to put out but never got round to it.

Simeon Levi in 2013 with Crucial Kaya

Regretfully, Sim didn’t see the release of “Who is Rastafari” on 12” (due out mid-2015) but she gave me excellent feedback on hearing the studio recordings. Even to the last, she was always patient and positive. I feel proud and privileged to have worked with such a talented artist and beautiful person. Her final words on the release, below, were heart warming. Rest easy now Simeon Levi.

Thank you my humble bredrin, you made my day close with sunshine and lifted my heart.

Lovers Rock is a romantic, soulful style of reggae that originated in London in the mid 70′s, and remained a popular alternative to the militant roots reggae style until the late 80′s, when both roots and lovers rock mainly gave way to dancehall.

The Lovers Rock sound remains popular amongst the generation that grew up going to blues dances (house parties) that played lovers rock and soul until the early hours (commercial radio ignored reggae).

This vinyl-only DJ mix from Crucial Steve features 30 Lovers Rock tracks, covering the period 1978 to 1988.

Crucial Steve and his sound Crucial Hi-Fi are based in NW London. If you are interested in booking, please message me via the Contact Form.

Hot off the press is the long awaited second release from Crucial Steve’s Righteous Works label, featuring the return of the legendary Jahfa “Listen to We” Culture ! On the B-side is up and coming producer Dairy Dub with melodica king Idavid!

A highly limited number of test presses for the next release are available to buy in the shop now! Be amongst the first to play the new Jahfa Culture/Dairy Dub/Idavid record on vinyl! Full release due out next month!

For the 2nd release on Righteous Works, 80′s reggae veteran Jahfa Culture (who brought us hits like “Listen to We”, “Commando Commando”) brings us his next record “Revelation Time”, a mid-tempo melodic stepper produced by Crucial Steve. Dub version digs deeper into the riddim.

On the flip side melodica maestro Idavid teams up with youthman producer Dairy Dub for his debut production “Rastaman’s Last Stand”. Mixed by Crucial Steve.